Introduction to MMC

Metals have much higher strength and stiffness in comparison to polymeric materials like Epoxy which is used as matrix in polymeric material. As we will show in the design of composite laminate, while reinforcements improve the mechanical properties along the longitudinal direction, the matrix mechanical properties contribute mainly in the transverse direction. Hence, better mechanical properties of metal matrix results in better mechanical properties along the transverse direction of a laminate. In PMCs, the same thing is achieved by using cross-ply laminate - this also sacrifices anisotropy in the laminate.

MMCs also have higher service temperature. Though the density of metals are quite high but the modulus to density ratio is again significantly high for metals. The use of MMC is still restricted due to the expensive fabrication and processing technology. The table below shows some of the commonly used MMCs and their mechanical properties.